some canadian guys writing about soccer

Costa Rica dropped the guillotine on Rodrigo Kenton today. The national federation had apparently seen enough after the three straight losses that have the Ticos perched precariously in fourth spot in the Hex with a playoff against Argentina looming. So hey, maybe he’s job hunting?

This will be the Ticos’ third manager of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, and whoever takes over will be leaving the relative comfort of the frying pan.

Replacement names being batted about include former Chivas USA coach Hans Westerhof (the most likely choice according to some reports),  the now infamous Ricardo La Volpe, Cruz Azul manager Enrique Ojitos Meza and Jose Pekerman, about whom I recall more than a few Voyageurs fantasizing as a candidate for Canada. (At least with us he won’t have the opportunity to not sub in Leo Messi as his team grinds hopelessly towards a doomed penalty shootout with Germany in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals.)

I am all for Stephen Hart as Canada’s permanent manager – legitimate arguments about how he’d be better suited in the technical director’s job aside – but let’s say that I wasn’t and that I worked for the CSA… what about Kenton? I don’t know the state of his English, but this is a man that knows Concacaf and how to win in it. And he had the Ticos playing like gangbusters in the first half of the Hex, the fact he’s now lost the plot completely notwithstanding.

Granted, any calls to Kenton from the CSA would probably be met with loud peals of laughter followed by some heavy wheezing, but beyond him, what if we were to finally try a Central American in the Canada job? Language and cultural barriers aside, we could sure use someone to navigate us through those steamy Honduran, Mexican or El Salvadorian nights if we’re ever to hear O Canada at a World Cup.

What do you think?